You are hiking in a forest and happen upon a plant featuring a central stemlike structure from which sprout many, tiny, leaflike structures. Which of the following would be the most certain means of distinguishing whether it was a true moss or a club moss?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The appearance of its spore-producing structures would be the best means of distinguishing between a true moss and a club moss. This is because true mosses have gametophytes that produce spores in capsules at the top of a stalk, while club mosses have sporophylls that produce spores in cone-like structures at the ends of their stems. The other options (color, height, presence of seeds, and conducting tissues) are not reliable indicators of whether it is a true moss or club moss.

You Are Hiking in a Forest and Happen Upon a Plant